Former intern Steve Grillo recently opened up about his challenging experiences on the Howard Stern radio show during the early 1990s, detailing a workplace marked by humiliation and a transformation in Stern's persona.
Grillo highlights the drastic change from a controversial radio personality to a celebrity-friendly interviewer, the New York Post reported.
In the early 1990s, Steve Grillo, then a junior in college, landed what he thought was a dream internship with the Howard Stern Show. Envisioning a role behind the scenes, Grillo was initially eager and optimistic about the opportunity to work with the famed broadcaster.
However, not long into his tenure, Grillo's experiences began to sour. Despite his preference to stay off-air, the hosts frequently pulled him into the spotlight, where they ridiculed and mocked him. This unwanted on-air involvement quickly became a source of anxiety for him.
Describing the show's atmosphere, Grillo referred to it as a "snake pit," a place full of unexpected challenges and setups that targeted him. "I was always a nervous wreck and it got worse when they brought me on the show," Grillo recounted, painting a picture of an unpredictable and harsh work environment.
During broadcasts, Stern and co-host Robin Quivers teased Grillo. They intensified his discomfort by playing pranks on him and throwing balls of paper at his face. Stern, known for his intense interviewing style, would use Grillo's dyslexia against him, adding to the on-air humiliations.
Grillo also expressed dislike for the nickname "Gorilla," given to him by Stern, which felt demeaning and contributed to his negative experience. The disparaging moniker was just one aspect of the broader demeaning treatment he received, which seemed at odds with Stern's polite off-air persona.
Off the air, Stern displayed a noticeably different demeanor. Grillo described him as polite and less imposing than his on-air persona. Despite this, the overall environment on the show made it difficult for Grillo to feel comfortable or valued.
Financially, Grillo struggled during his time on the show. He was compelled to request a raise due to economic difficulties, but only received a minor increase. This financial strain, combined with the stressful work environment, eventually led to his decision to leave the show.
After parting ways with the Stern Show, Grillo moved on to various other roles in the entertainment industry. He worked as a grip for Broadway and TV productions and even found roles as a stand-in on popular shows like "The Sopranos." These opportunities provided him with a reprieve from the intense pressures of working on Stern's show.
According to Grillo, during the 1990s, Stern played a significant role in shaping the political landscape in New York, contributing to the careers of figures like George Pataki and Rudy Giuliani. However, Stern's political and social alignments have since shifted dramatically, a change Grillo attributes to Stern's association with celebrity circles.
"He got George Pataki elected Governor [of New York in 1995] and he was a big [Rudy] Giuliani supporter," Grillo highlighted, expressing disappointment in Stern's current political stance. "It’s gross to see what he’s turned into. I think it’s quite pathetic, to be honest."
Grillo believes Stern's alignment with left-wing politics and ties with high-profile celebrities like Jimmy Kimmel have influenced his public persona and views. "At some point, his brain flipped," Grillo observed, suggesting a transformation triggered by a desire to fit in with his new A-list friends.
Finally, Grillo has penned a memoir titled "Gorilla Parts," in which he reflects on his tumultuous time with the Howard Stern show. Notably, Stern does not appear in the acknowledgements—a deliberate choice by Grillo, underscoring the deep impact of his experiences and his desires to distance himself from that chapter of his life.
